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Colonial historian David Allen's intensive study of five communities in seventeenth-century Massachusetts is a model of meticulous scholarship on the detailed microcosmic level, and is convincing up to a point. Allen suggests that much more coherence and direct continuity existed between English and colonial agricultural practices and administrative organization than other historians have suggested. However, he overstates his case with the declaration that he has proved "the remarkable extent to which diversity in New England local institutions was directly imitative of regional differences in the mother country.

Such an assertion ignores critical differences between seventeenth—century England and New England. First, England was overcrowded and land-hungry; New England was sparsely populated and labor-hungry. Second, England suffered the normal European rate of mortality; New England, especially in the first generation of English colonists, was virtually free from infectious diseases. Third, England had an all-embracing state church; in New England membership in a church was restricted to the elect. Fourth, a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires; no such class existed in New England. By narrowing his focus to village institutions and ignoring these critical differences, which studies by Greven, Demos, and Lockridge have shown to be so important, Allen has created a somewhat distorted picture of reality.

Allen's work is a rather extreme example of the "country community" school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issues from the history of that period have been exposed by Professor Clive Holmes. What conclusion can be drawn, for example, from Allen's discovery that Puritan clergy who had come to the colonies from East Anglia were one-third to one-half as likely to return to England by 1660 as were Puritan ministers from western and northern England? We are not told in what way, if at all, this discovery illuminates historical understanding. Studies of local history have enormously expanded our horizons, but it is a mistake for their authors to conclude that village institutions are all that mattered, simply because their functions are all that the records of village institutions reveal.

1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

(A) An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues.(B) The "country community" school of seventeenth- century English history distorts historical evidence in order to establish continuity between old and new institutions.(C) Most historians distort reality by focusing on national concerns to the exclusion of local concerns.(D) National issues are best understood from the perspective of those at the local level.(E) Local histories of seventeenth-century English villages have contributed little to the understanding of village life.

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?

(A) The resident squire had significant authority.(B) Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.(C) Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth.(D) There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.(E) National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.

(A) substantiating a claim about a historical event(B) reconciling two opposing ideas about a historical era(C) disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical event(D) analyzing two approaches to scholarly research and evaluating their methodologies(E) criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents

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18 Aug 2014, 06:38

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JarvisR wrote:

Time taken 14 mins.1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?A. An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues."...the "country community" school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issues from the history of that period have been exposed by Professor Clive Holmes"

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to beD. an unexplained, isolated fact"We are not told in what way, if at all, this discovery illuminates historical understanding."

3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage considers Allen's research on seventeenth-century Massachusetts colonies to beC. detailed but problematic"Colonial historian David Allen's intensive study of five communities in seventeenth-century Massachusetts is a model of meticulous scholarship on the detailed microcosmic level, and is convincing up to a point.blah blahHowever, he overstates his case with the declaration...."

5. The author of the passage is primarily concerned withE. criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?A. The resident squire had significant authority.B. Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.C. Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth.D. There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.E. National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.>> Need help with this one.By POE I can reach to A but don't know how to infer that from para. I was stumped by option D in starting bec of following line:"Allen suggests that much more coherence and direct continuity existed between English and colonial agricultural practices and administrative organization than other historians have suggested. ".But after rereading i found the difference.

Hi there,

Thanks for posting your question here.

Since, Q#4 is an open ended question, we need to rely on the PoE to get to the correct answer.

Choice A - This one is the correct answer as the passage clearly mentions that " a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires;".

Choice B - This cannot be the correct answer because the passage only says that the Church was open for the elects. It does not mention on what criteria was one elected.

Choice C - This information is not present in the passage.

Choice D - This is not the correct answer. Pay attention to this part in the passage - "However, he overstates his case with the declaration that he has proved "the remarkable extent to which diversity in New England local institutions was directly imitative of regional differences in the mother country." This part suggests that there was enough diversity in the local institutions from one region to another in English villages too and that's why Allen made this point in this studies. However, he over stated this similarity in comparing the New England villages with the England villages.

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21 Oct 2014, 14:00

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5

Time taken: 10:18 (Feel bad)

1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?A. An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues. --> CORRECT. First sentence of the third passage states that.B. The "country community" school of seventeenth- century English history distorts historical evidence in order to establish continuity between old and new institutions.C. Most historians distort reality by focusing on national concerns to the exclusion of local concerns.D. National issues are best understood from the perspective of those at the local level.E. Local histories of seventeenth-century English villages have contributed little to the understanding of village life.

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to beA. already known to earlier historiansB. based on a logical fallacyC. improbable but nevertheless convincingD. an unexplained, isolated fact --> CORRECT. The third passage says "We are not told in what way, .....it is a mistake for their authors to conclude that...". <-- means mistake if we just base solely on unexplained facts.E. a new, insightful observation

3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage considers Allen's research on seventeenth-century Massachusetts colonies to beA. inconsequential but interestingB. largely derivativeC. detailed but problematic --> CORRECT. The first passage says ".....a model of meticulous scholarship on the detailed microcosmic level, and is convincing........However, he overstates his case ".D. highly commendableE. overly theoretical

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?A. The resident squire had significant authority. --> CORRECT. The second passage says "Fourth, a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires;B. Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.C. Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth.D. There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.E. National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.

5. The author of the passage is primarily concerned withA. substantiating a claim about a historical eventB. reconciling two opposing ideas about a historical eraC. disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical eventD. analyzing two approaches to scholarly research and evaluating their methodologiesE. criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents --> CORRECT. The first passage mentions "......However, he overstates.....". Moreover, the second passage says " Allen has created a somewhat distorted picture of reality. <-- It's a criticizing mood.

General Discussion

Re: Colonial historian David Allen's intensive study of five communities i
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15 Aug 2014, 02:04

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Time taken 14 mins.1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?A. An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues."...the "country community" school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issues from the history of that period have been exposed by Professor Clive Holmes"

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to beD. an unexplained, isolated fact"We are not told in what way, if at all, this discovery illuminates historical understanding."

3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage considers Allen's research on seventeenth-century Massachusetts colonies to beC. detailed but problematic"Colonial historian David Allen's intensive study of five communities in seventeenth-century Massachusetts is a model of meticulous scholarship on the detailed microcosmic level, and is convincing up to a point.blah blahHowever, he overstates his case with the declaration...."

5. The author of the passage is primarily concerned withE. criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?A. The resident squire had significant authority.B. Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.C. Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth.D. There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.E. National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.>> Need help with this one.By POE I can reach to A but don't know how to infer that from para. I was stumped by option D in starting bec of following line:"Allen suggests that much more coherence and direct continuity existed between English and colonial agricultural practices and administrative organization than other historians have suggested. ".But after rereading i found the difference.

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1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

(A) An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues.(B) The "country community" school of seventeenth- century English history distorts historical evidence in order to establish continuity between old and new institutions.(C) Most historians distort reality by focusing on national concerns to the exclusion of local concerns.(D) National issues are best understood from the perspective of those at the local level.(E) Local histories of seventeenth-century English villages have contributed little to the understanding of village life.

ANSWER below in BOLD

By narrowing his focus to village institutions and ignoring these critical differences, which studies by Greven, Demos, and Lockridge have shown to be so important, Allen has created a somewhat distorted picture of reality

Studies of local history have enormously expanded our horizons, but it is a mistake for their authors to conclude that village institutions are all that mattered, simply because their functions are all that the records of village institutions reveal.

Allen's work is a rather extreme example of the "country community" school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issues

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to be

(A) already known to earlier historians(B) based on a logical fallacy(C) improbable but nevertheless convincing(D) an unexplained, isolated fact(E) a new, insightful observation

ANSWER BELOW:

(Isolated fact) Allen's work is a rather extreme example of the "country community" school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issuesfrom the(unexplained fact ) What conclusion can be drawn, for example, from Allen's discovery that Puritan clergy who had come to the colonies from East Anglia were one-third to one-half as likely to return to England by 1660 as were Puritan ministers from western and northern England? We are not told in what way, if at all, this discovery illuminates historical understanding.

3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage considers Allen's research on seventeenth-century Massachusetts colonies to be

(DETAILED)Colonial historian David Allen's intensive study of five communities in seventeenth-century Massachusetts is a model of meticulous scholarship on the detailed microcosmic level, and is convincing up to a point.

(PROBLEMATIC) However, he overstates his case with the declaration that he has proved

I'm also still trying to perfect it. What I found so far is that you will have to devise your own strategy because what works for one may not work for other person. It depends a lot on your vocabulary skills also. Keep practising RC on daily basis and you will be able to figure out what works best for you. Best of Luck

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01 Jan 2017, 14:35

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1) A2) D3) C4) A5) E

Question 2 seems to be the one most people struggled with, so I will address it in more detail.

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to beA. already known to earlier historians No. It can be inferred that Allen discovered the detail.B. based on a logical fallacy This is unsubstantiatedC. improbable but nevertheless convincing Author seems adamant that Allen is wrong, so no.D. an unexplained, isolated fact Yes. The gist of the paragraph is that Allen's work does little to advance "the big picture" and that his work cannot be used to explain "macro" trends. E. a new, insightful observation Like C, the author seems to be against Allen's POV.

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03 Mar 2020, 07:36

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Process map:

Paragraph 1 - DA conduct detailed study to suggest continuity between English and colonial in 2 different aspects (agr and admin org). But his argument is over stated (author's opinion).

Paragraph 2 - this is due to ignoring differences, in 4 different aspects (details - skim and refer back later when being asked). Just focus on village insti is too narrow, and DA's view is distorted (author's opinion)

Paragraph 3 - DA's view ignore national issues (CH debunk it), no conclusion can be drawn from 1 e.g. (details). Again, just focus on village is not enough.

1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements? refer to "Allen's work is a rather extreme example of the “country community” school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issues from the history of that period have been exposed by Professor Clive Holmes"(A) An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues. this coincides with the detail above (B) The "country community" school of seventeenth- century English history distorts historical evidence in order to establish continuity between old and new institutions. this is author's opinions not HC's(C) Most historians distort reality by focusing on national concerns to the exclusion of local concerns. this is author's opinions not HC's(D) National issues are best understood from the perspective of those at the local level. focusing on local level is not narrow as indicated in the passage(E) Local histories of seventeenth-century English villages have contributed little to the understanding of village life. it contributes, but not enough, "little" is too extreme

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to berefer to "What conclusion can be drawn, for example, from Allen's discovery that Puritan clergy who had come to the colonies from East Anglia were one-third to one-half as likely to return to England by 1660 as were Puritan ministers from western and northern England? We are not told in what way, if at all, this discovery illuminates historical understanding."(A) already known to earlier historians this might be true, but not author's main intention (B) based on a logical fallacy attractive answer, but no logic error because on conclusion is given(C) improbable but nevertheless convincing author find it not convincing (D) an unexplained, isolated fact correct answer, isolated facts didn't give us any conclusion (E) a new, insightful observation author's tone is mostly negative, so incorrect answer

3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage considers Allen's research on seventeenth-century Massachusetts colonies to be

(A) inconsequential but interesting "interesting" is not mentioned(B) largely derivative "largely" is too extreme and not mentioned(C) detailed but problematic correct answer, refer to "meticulous scholarship on the detailed microcosmic level" for "detailed", and author's tone for "problematic" (D) highly commendable contradicts author's tone(E) overly theoretical this is not mentioned

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?First, England was overcrowded and land-hungry; New England was sparsely populated and labor-hungry. Second, England suffered the normal European rate of mortality; New England, especially in the first generation of English colonists, was virtually free from infectious diseases. Third, England had an all-embracing state church; in New England membership in a church was restricted to the elect. Fourth, a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires; no such class existed in New England. (A) The resident squire had significant authority.correct answer, refers to "a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires; no such class existed in New England", "paternalistic" translate to "authority" (B) Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community. this is not mentioned(C) Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth. contradicts "England was overcrowded and land-hungry"(D) There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another. not mentioned (E) National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization. this is not mentioned

5. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) substantiating a claim about a historical event this is not about a historical event, but about evaluating Allen's work(B) reconciling two opposing ideas about a historical era didn't reconcile 2 opposing idea(C) disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical event it didn't dispute the evidence but the approach Allen took(D) analyzing two approaches to scholarly research and evaluating their methodologies it only analyzed Allens' work(E) criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents correct answer

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02 Dec 2014, 14:09

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5. The author of the passage is primarily concerned withA. substantiating a claim about a historical eventB. reconciling two opposing ideas about a historical eraC. disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical eventD. analyzing two approaches to scholarly research and evaluating their methodologiesE. criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents

While solving this question , I am able to eliminate B. reconciling two opposing ideas about a historical era (no two ideas are explain)D. analyzing two approaches to scholarly research and evaluating their methodologies (no methodology is discussed)A. substantiating a claim about a historical event(no historical even is discussed)

so I remains with C and E and I choose C ... E. criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents I think criticizing is strong word for passage tone C. disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical event second paragraph talk about evidence also third paragraph also say about evidence.Please explain.

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02 Dec 2016, 18:55

"According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?

(A) The resident squire had significant authority. (B) Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community. (C) Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth. (D) There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another. (E) National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization"

Dear experts,from the last sentence of paragraph 1,especially the word "overstates", I got the idea that little diversity in local institution was directly imitative of another.that's why I am satisfied with D.

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16 Jul 2018, 22:07

am10ir wrote:

Hi,

Can anyone provide a detailed explanation for question number 5

5. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) substantiating a claim about a historical event(B) reconciling two opposing ideas about a historical era(C) disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical event(D) analyzing two approaches to scholarly research and evaluating their methodologies(E) criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents

reading the passage we can see that the auhor first informs us about the study. Then he gives the shortcomings and differences in it and finally tells us that it was exposed. also he questions the study's methodology. all this corroborates E

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28 Oct 2018, 18:50

Quote:

1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

(A) An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues.(B) The "country community" school of seventeenth- century English history distorts historical evidence in order to establish continuity between old and new institutions.(C) Most historians distort reality by focusing on national concerns to the exclusion of local concerns.(D) National issues are best understood from the perspective of those at the local level.(E) Local histories of seventeenth-century English villages have contributed little to the understanding of village life.

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to be

(A) already known to earlier historians(B) based on a logical fallacy(C) improbable but nevertheless convincing(D) an unexplained, isolated fact(E) a new, insightful observation

3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage considers Allen's research on seventeenth-century Massachusetts colonies to be

There are already several explanations for some of these questions. Could you provide a bit more detail about where you're getting stuck? Try to describe your own POE, and point out where you're having trouble, and then I'll be able to jump in and help

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Allen's work is a rather extreme example of the "country community" school of seventeenth-century English history whose intemperate excesses in removing all national issues from the history of that period have been exposed by Professor Clive Holmes. We are not told in what way, if at all, this discovery illuminates historical understanding. Studies of local history have enormously expanded our horizons, but it is a mistake for their authors to conclude that village institutions are all that mattered, simply because their functions are all that the records of village institutions reveal.

Above is the relevent part.But how do infer? Down with these four options

1. The passage suggests that Professor Clive Holmes would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

(A) An understanding of seventeenth-century English local institutions requires a consideration of national issues.(C) Most historians distort reality by focusing on national concerns to the exclusion of local concerns.(D) National issues are best understood from the perspective of those at the local level.(E) Local histories of seventeenth-century English villages have contributed little to the understanding of village life.

Down with these two options stuck with these two2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author of the passage considers Allen's "discovery" (see highlighted text) to be

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I still can't wrap my head around how can we infer answer choice A from Fourth, a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires; no such class existed in New England.This doesn't tell us that resident squire had significant authority

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?

(A) The resident squire had significant authority.(B) Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.(C) Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth.(D) There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.(E) National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.

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I still can't wrap my head around how can we infer answer choice A from Fourth, a high proportion of English villagers lived under paternalistic resident squires; no such class existed in New England.This doesn't tell us that resident squire had significant authority

4. According to the passage, which of the following was true of most villages in seventeenth-century England?

(A) The resident squire had significant authority.(B) Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.(C) Low population density restricted agricultural and economic growth.(D) There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.(E) National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.

English villagers lived UNDER resident squires means resident squires had significant authority. Note that the other options are clearly incorrect.

(B) Church members were selected on the basis of their social status within the community.Incorrect. Passage mentions: "Third, England had an all-embracing state church".

(D) There was little diversity in local institutions from one region to another.Incorrect. Passage mentions: the remarkable extent to which diversity in New England local institutions was directly imitative of regional differences in the mother country.This implies that there was diversity in England too.

(E) National events had little impact on local customs and administrative organization.Incorrect. Passage mentions: it is a mistake for their authors to conclude that village institutions are all that mattered, simply because their functions are all that the records of village institutions reveal.It implies that only village institutions are not all that mattered so perhaps regional and national events had impact. We don't know for sure but certainly (E) is not correct.
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Paragraph 3: the author then connects Allen's work to a broader school of historical research, expanding his/her criticism to that school as a whole

With this in mind, take a look at (E):

Quote:

(E) criticizing a particular study and the approach to historical scholarship it represents

Bingo! The author criticizes Allen's study, then expands this criticism to the "'country community' school of seventeenth-century English history." (E) fits perfectly with our analysis of the passage, and is the correct answer.

Contrast that with (C):

Quote:

(C) disputing evidence a scholar uses to substantiate a claim about a historical event

There are a couple of issues with this answer choice. First, the author doesn't discuss a claim about a particular "historical event" -- instead, he/she criticizes Allen's study about a historical time and place (colonial New England). Because the passage doesn't really discuss an event, (C) is already looking a bit off.

In addition, the author doesn't "dispute evidence" in the passage. In the second paragraph, he/she lists factors that Allen ignored -- which is not the same as disputing the evidence that he actually did use. In the third paragraph, the author brings up a particular piece of Allen's evidence and questions what can be concluded from that evidence, but he/she never disputes the truthfulness of the evidence itself.

For these reasons, (C) is not a good match for the primary concern of the passage.